New liquid sodium alloy



United States Patent NEW noun) SODIUM Armor Dorian D. Doptoglon, Lafayette, Ind, assignor to National Distillers and Chemical Corporation, a corporation of Virginia No Drawing. Application July 9, 1956, Serial No. 596,449

6 Claims. (Cl. 75-469) The present invention relates to a novel liquid alloy of sodium, potassium and mercury having a relatively low freezing point and useful as a source of sodium for carrying out reactions of sodium with organic compounds.

The novel alloy embodied herein consists essentially of potassium, sodium and mercury in an atomic ratio, respectively, of about 3:14:2 which has a melting point of from about 0 to about 3 C. and which, by weight, usually comprises from about 35 to 40% sodium, 10 to potassium and 45 to 50% mercury. A specific embodiment of the novel alloy embodied herein consists essentially of the aforesaid ingredients in a weight ratio of about 38-39% sodium, 13-14% potassium and 47-48% mercury with a still more specific embodiment comprising 38.6% sodium, 13.7% potassium and 47.7% mercury.

In order to illustrate a method for preparation of such novel liquid alloys, an embodiment thereof is set forth hereinafter.

(1) 11 grams of potassium are added to 100 grams of a 40% sodium amalgam and the mixture is maintained under toluene and heated until solution is effected providing a liquid metal composition that solidifies at about 0 C.

(2) A quantity of NazK is prepared by heating 23 grams of sodium with 40 grams of potassium under toluene until solution is effected.

(3) The NazK from step (2) is diluted to 1.6 times its volume by gradual dilution with the liquid metal prepared in step (1) to provide a homogeneous liquid alloy '(M. P. 0 to 3 C.) having the following composition:

The postassiumzsodiummercury liquid alloy embodied herein is a highly reactive material in which the sodium Patented Sept. 17, 1957 has an activity of substantially unity in carrying out reactions with organic materials in which it is desired to abstract sodium for reaction with organic materials. Moreover, because of its relatively low melting point (about 0 to about 3 C.), coupled with such an activity for the sodium content, the novel alloy embodied herein provides a source of sodium in liquid form for such organic reactions which necessarily or desirably are carried out at relatively low temperatures, e. g., down to about 3 C. Thus the novel alloy embodied herein is useful as a source of sodium in liquid form for carrying out reactions with materials such as butadiene and other conjugated diolefins under conditions to efiect polymerization, dimerization, and the like.

The liquid sodium-containing alloy embodied herein is such a highly reactive material that its contact With air, reactive solvents such as water, alcohol, compounds containing replaceable hydrogen, etc. should be avoided as the alloy reacts therewith in a highly exothermic manner requiring precaution against the occurrence of flash fires.

While there is above disclosed but a limited number of embodiments of the invention herein presented, it is pos sible to produce still other embodiments without departing from the inventive concept herein disclosed, and it is desired therefore that only such limitations be imposed on the appended claims as are stated therein.

What is claimed is:

1. An alloy composition consisting essentially of potassium, sodium and mercury in an atomic ratio of about 3:14:2, respectively.

2. An alloy composition consisting essentially of from about 35 to 40% sodium, from about 10 to about 15% potassium and from about 45 to 50% mercury.

3. A liquid alloy composition consisting essentially of about 38 to 39% sodium, about 13 to 14% potas sium and about 47 to 48% mercury.

4. A liquid alloy composition consisting essentially of 38.6% sodium, 13.7% potassium and 47.7% mercury.

5. A method for preparation of a liquid alloy consisting essentially of potassium, sodium and mercury having a melting point of from about 0 to about 3 C. which comprises dissolving in a solution consisting essentially of potassium and a 40% sodium amalgam in a weight ratio of about 11 grams of potassium and grams of said amalgam, an amount of NazK to provide a liquid alloy consisting essentially of from about 35 to 40% sodium, from about 10 to about 15 potassium and from about 45 to 50% mercury.

6. A method, as defined in claim 5, wherein the solution is diluted to about 1.6 times its volume with NazK.

References Cited in the file of this patent Z. Metallkunde, Ianecke 1928 Band 20, pages 113-117. 

1. AN ALLOY COMPOSITION CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF POTASSIUM, SODIUM AND MERCURY IN AN ATOMIC RATIO OF ABOUT 3:14:2, RESPECTIVELY. 